This morning we blogged that Anne Kirkbride, who plays Deirdre Barlow, is taking a three-month sabbatical from Coronation Street.
For me, this is sad, as we've only welcomed back Ken and now we'll be saying goodbye to Deirdre for a while and once again things at No. 1 were back to normal - well, as normal as we can get on the street!
It's fair to say we've seen a lot more of Deirdre this past year than we've had in a long time. Well in more scenes per episode anyway! She has had to carry the moral support role that Ken always held and over the past year we've seen a return to the classic Deirdre we knew back in the 1980s and early 1990s - strong, independent and determined. Let's hope we don't see her return to the wimpering character we've known in the past few years.
When the announcement was made of her temporary departure, many commented that it wouldn't make much of a difference as she doesn't hold such a key role as she did. That's a fair argument, but then again Deirdre is synonymous with Corrie and without a doubt we would feel her loss. As the Barlows are still so central to the programme, losing Deirdre to the dynamic of the family would be noticeable. She has taken over the role of Blanche naturally as it's known that daughters do eventually morph into their mothers!
As long as there are characters linked to the character who has left or died, that character will be missed. There is still a gap at the Barlows without Blanche and the Rovers doesn't feel the same without Betty, even though she only appeared fleetingly. I missed Ken when he was away and it's nearly two months now since we last saw Rita, Norris and Emily and I want to see them again in episodes.
Anyway, I've rambled! My original reason for doing this blog post was to ask how would you like Deirdre to be written out?
With such a large cast, maybe the producers won't bother with an exit storyline. As has been said, we've not seen Rita or Emily for two months and they've not had an exit. Maybe Anne Kirkbride will film a selection of scenes that will be played out during her absence, if that is possible of course. It has been said that she's leaving in November, which means Deirdre will be dishing out stuffed marrow over Christmas so her absence won't be seen until the new year. Whereas the producers struggled with a plausible reason for Ken to leave the street as he doesn't have any sick relatives to nurse, we have the perfect reason for Deirdre - her Auntie Beryl! Beryl is of course Blanche's sister and although not seen, she has been mentioned. Deirdre could nurse Auntie Beryl for a few months while Ken could always go and visit. And wouldn't it be great if Auntie Beryl couldn't cope alone and would have to move in with the Barlows? That would be classic Corrie! And would make sense as well!
Or have you got any other ideas?
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20 comments:
Aunty Beryl is ill and she has to go and look after her:)
Sorry Llifon, posted the above before I finished reading your article. Now I see you had that idea too! Actually, I'll be surprised if they DON'T use that plotline:)
I'd love Deidre to do a Shirley Valentine, perhaps so fed up with Boring Ken and the aftermath of the Peter murder trial and Tracy's non-marriage (?) she takes herself off to a small Greek Island to do a 3 month pottery course.
I doubt whether the current writers/storyliners even know deirdre has an Aunty Beryl. She could go upstairs and play her tapes, or they could keep saying she is in the bath or taking eccles for a walk or at her ceramics class.
Dierdre ought to run off for some surprise romantic time with a lady on a barge.
--Hilda's Murial
I think Deirdre either has a fling with Rob or she realises he killed Tina but keeps quiet for Tracy's sake,Ken finds out and throws her out?
It's a shame that both Ken and Kevin had sick relatives to care for as it's become a bit of a clichéd exit.
I really hope Tracy finds it impossible to stay on the Street once Rob drives into canal (only guessing). Maybe Ken and Deirdre fall out when Peter leaves. Deirdre could move out with Tracy to get some space from Ken and also to help her daughter settle in her new home.
I agree with Dolly Tub - Deidre was so much more interesting than the stuffy,pompous & sanctimonius Ken - I would rather see her being the take charge person in the Barlow household and if not, then I wish her well in a much needed vacation on some exotic isle away from the rest of the moaners and groaners.
I also have been missing Rita, Emily and Norris. Where have they been lately? No one seems to be in the Kabin lately. :/
I too like Dolly Tubb's story line but Deirdre takes Eccles along with her.
However, what will happen to Ken? (Is it just me or has Ken forgotten how to act. He seems out of his depth)
Maybe Adam could have a relapse? And this time it's Deirdre's turn to look after him.
It must be serious as if he ever comes back doubtless he'll have had a head transplant.
How about something to do with her chain-smoking habit? She's developed health problems and tests show she has emphysema or lung cancer and has to go to a special hospital or sanatorium for treatment. This may be too close to real life though (I hope I'm wrong), so they may not feel comfortable writing such a storyline.
Goes to look after Auntie Beryl and , even better brings her back when she returns !
Goes to look after Auntie Beryl and , even better brings her back when she returns !
Deirdre could simply decide to retire (Corrie can fudge the age) and celebrate by going on a three-month cruise.
Blanche left her some dosh which is just coming to light now and it's enough to send her on an extended vacation - a trip to wherever for a few months. Sounds more realistic than Ken's having to care for a sick relative in Canada for almost a year!
In the aftermath of Rob's being found out and Tracy's wedding being ruined, Deirdre takes Tracy, Amy and Eccles on a trip to see Auntie Beryl. Only Deirdre and Beryl come back. Deirdre experiences a permanent rift with Tracy and her own storyline (yes, actually her own) in trying to discover what happened to Eccles from the distance of the Street.
I'm surprised they've bothered to announce this - I'm sure during Ken's absence there was a period of 3 months or so where she was not seen or mentioned without explanation.
When was Rita last in it for example. It must be getting on for several months now.
As you've said, her's is not a pivotal role so I think if I was the scriptwriters I just would not bother mentioning this latest absence.
The radio times have announced that Deirdre will throw a trifle at a wall and ken will suggest she goes on an extended holiday to her friends Bev Unwin. So that is the storyline revealed.
I thought her voice seemed quite hoarse in recent episodes. I hope she is ok!
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